Imphal, November 11 2008: Family members have claimed the body of Hayel Hangul Gram Panchayat Member Md Azad Khan on completion of post mortem at RIMS morgue today.

Md Azad was gunned down on November 8 night at Irilbung area with the 32 Assam Rifles involved in the claimed shoot-out contending that the deceased was a PULF activist.

The AR claim was nevertheless disputed by the locals as well as the JAC formed in connection with the incident contending that Azad Khan was innocent and had no link with any banned organisation.

Assurance made by the Wagabai AC legislator Dr Usham Deben Singh to the JAC is said to be deciding factor for claiming the corpse.

Dr Deben is informed to have assured his personal intervention and effort for all possible assistance from the Government's side in addition to apprising the matter as soon as the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh returns to Imphal.